18,227 fans were inside the stadium to soak up the glorious weather and enjoy the superb atmosphere that normally graces these end of season affairs. Unfortunately, Stoke went into the game with nothing to play for whilst the Hammers are still pushing hard for the play-offs. Fans could look forward to a good game of football and a close fought match but a depleted forward line consisted of a not fully fit Gifton Noel-Williams and Peter Hoekstra who was brought in to link midfield and attack. Carl Asaba joined Ade Akinbiyi on the treatment table while City were again missing the influential John Eustace in midfield. West Ham, on the other hand had the luxury of fielding Bobby Zamora, David Connolly and Marlon Harewood up front with Brian Deane on the bench.
Despite the missing players, it was the Potters who got into their game first. Clive Clarke volleyed over from distance after seven minutes and three minutes later a
Clarke was off target with another long range effort after a fantastic show of keep ball football from the Potters as they continued to play the better football of the two sides. It looked as if it was the Hammers who had nothing to play for as they chased around while City kept hold of the ball well but it truth Bywater in goal was never really under much pressure as much of City’s play was neat without ever being decisive.
In the 39th minute, the Hammers nicked a goal completely against the run of play. A ball into the box was shielded by Connolly and he rolled a ball past Neil Cutler on the turn into the far corner of the net. City had every right to feel hard done by but their class up front was showed up by the Hammers front line as their only real opportunity was put away with ease.
Just a minute later and it could have been 2-0. Bobby Zamora was allowed to advance to the edge of the area but thankfully he drilled wide of the post when he maybe should have done better. The remaining five minutes passed out without incident and the visitors would no doubt feel delighted to be leading after having little of the play.
Stoke had of course won away at Upton Park so there was a genuine feeling that the match was not over and once again it was the home side who started better in the half. Peter Hoekstra was forced to withdraw with injury and was replaced with Sebastian Svard meaning Tony Pulis deployed Noel-Williams as a lone target man with Commons doing his best to get forward and support. It was Commons himself who fired wide before Noel-Williams almost turned home a Clarke cross.
However, as in the first half City lacked any real cut and thrust which gave the opposition the chance to double their lead on 58. Neil Cutler did well to prevent a goal initially, blocking well but the ball came back out to Matthew Etherington who chipped into the six yard area for Harewood to head home.
This signalled the end of the match as a contest and it turned into what looked suspiciously like a pre-season friendly. The away side kept control of the ball for long periods and Stoke refused to chase the ball around in the sun, accepting the match was beyond them.
In saying this, Darel Russell was unlucky not to hit the target with a low drive from outside the area and Commons saw an effort deflected over although the Hammers could have achieved a flattering 3-0 scoreline through Harewood again had it not been for a good stop from Cutler who was impressive throughout.
The ground was almost empty by the time the final whistle did blow and whilst it was a shame the Potters treated it slightly like an exhibition match, most supporters would have taken it ahead of the nail biting that ensued during the final matches of last season.
Tony Pulis will now jet off to